Anode



' n- 13, 1942- H. J. BAILEY 2 269,845

ANODE v Filed March 1, 1940 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1942 Westinghouse-Electric & Manufacturing Com pany, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,' .a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 1, 1940,

Claims.

My invention relates to electron discharge devices and especially to the anode structure in such a device.

An object of my invention is to provide a simplified anode structure for electron discharge devices that is very cheaply assembled.

Another object of the invention is to prevent the electron stream from damaging the walls of the container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawing in which:

Fig. l is a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in cross-section through the electrode structure of an electron discharge device.

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged detailed views of the eyelet construction in its intermediate and final form.

I desire to quickly and cheaply assemble the anode structure of an electron discharge device. In accordance with my invention, I also contemplate utilizing expensive tantalum in certain portions of the device Where its gas-absorbing properties with" high temperature can be exercised most efliciently and then combine this expensive tantalum with cheaper, sturdier material for the sake of economy. This sturdier material is molybdenum, nickel, or other easily degasified metals usually utilized in tubes. My invention contemplates fastening the tantalum to the sturdier material by means of eyelets punched out of the sturdier material and clamping the thin tantalum sheets thereby.

I have discovered, however, that the eyelet construction leaves an opening in the anode wall and that this opening will permit a beam of electrons to pass therethrough and impinge against the usual glass wall of the container. I have discovered that these beams of electrons etch or heat the interior of the glass container and a continuation of this etching or heating would puncture the glass walls and ruin the tube. In accordance with my invention, I have utilized the eyelet construction and have provided means for covering the openings made necessary by the eyelet construction.

In Fig. l I have illustrated, in perspective, an anode in a preferred construction comprising two lateral sides I0 and l l of tantalum joined by two v-shaped ends l2 and [3 of a sturdier and cheaper material, such as molybdenum or nickel. The two lateral sides l0 and II are preferably arseal No. 321,684

longitudinal .ribs [4 extend across these tantalum sides forstrengthening purposes. With these parallel folds the tantalum may be 4 mils thick. The two end members 12 and [3 have extended edges 15 and I6 for attachment to the tantalum sides. An enlarged view of this ex- I tended edge I5 is disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4.

A plate ll, preferably of similar material to the sturdy end pieces l2 and I3, is placed between the edge I 5 and the edge of the tantalum to be secured thereto. This plate I! is of the same height as the edge I5 but is approximately double the width of the edge l5, having the extra width l8 as disclosed in Fig. 3. The molybdenum or nickel ends I 2 and I3 are secured to the intermediate strip H and the tantalum side It) or H by stamping an eyelet l9 through the molybdenum or nickel material of the edge l5 and binding it over at 20 to secure the tantalum plate H) or II to the V-shaped member l2 with the intermediate strip therebetween. These eyelets l9 extend along the lateral edges of the tantalum plates l0 and II as illustrated in Fig. 1. The extra width N3 of the intermediate strip I1 is then bent or lapped over as disclosed in Fig. 4 to close the openings of these eyelets.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated a typical electron discharge device with the filament 2|, which may be M-shaped, located in a central plane. Around this filament is located a preferably elliptical grid 22 formed of helical wires on the standards 23. There may, of course, be additional grids if desired. My preferred anode structure, as illustrated in Fig. l, surrounds the cathode and grid structure. A glass container Wall 24 encloses the electrode structure. If there were openings in the anode structure, such as the eyelet IS in Fig. 3, then there would be a flow of electrons 25 therethrough that would impinge upon the glass container wall at 26 and etch this wall.

With continued operation of the tube, the wall would be punctured at 26 and the tube destroyed by the inrush of the atmosphere into the evacuated space within the container wall 24. By the use of my invention the openings in the eyelet construction are closed and damage to the contamer wall is prevented thereby. I have accordingly disclosed a very cheaply and quickly assembled anode structure that prevents damage to the container walls by preventing the escape of electrons therethrough.

It is apparent that many modifications may be made in the particular shape and number of elements and their assembly in the preferred emranged parallel to one another and a series of bodiment disclosed in the drawing, and accordingly I desire only such limitations to be imposed upon my invention as are necessitated by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An anode comprising side and end pieces enclosing an electron discharge space, eyelets riveting said pieces together at the boundary of said discharge space, and material substantially, covering said eyelets whereby electrons from said discharge space will not pass through said eyelets.

2. An anode comprising side and end pieces, enclosing an electron discharge space, said end pieces having eyelets securing" said side pieces thereto at the boundary of said discharge space, and material substantially covering said eyelets whereby electrons from said discharge space will not pass through said eyelets.

3. An anode comprising side pieces of tantalum and end pieces of sturdier material enclosing an electron discharge space, the end pieces of sturdier material having eyelets securing said tantalum side pieces thereto at the boundary of said discharge space, and material substantially covering said eyelets whereby electrons from said discharge space will not pass through said eyelets.

4. An anode comprising side pieces of tantalum and end pieces of sturdier material enclosing an electron discharge space, the end pieces of sturdier material having eyelets securing said tantalum side pieces thereto at the boundary of said discharge space and means covering said eyelets, comprising a strip secured in said eyelets intermediate said end piece and side piece and having a portion bent over said eyelet.

5. An anode comprising side and end pieces, a discharge space, eyelets riveting said pieces together in said discharge space, and means covering said eyelets, comprising a strip secured in said eyelets intermediate said end piece and side piece and having a portion bent over said eyelets.

HAMPTON J. DAILEY. 

